Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has requested a commerce, normal supervisor Joe Cronin stated Saturday.
“We have been clear that we want Dame here but he notified us today he wants out and he’d prefer to play someplace else,” Cronin stated in a press release. “What has not changed for us is that we’re committed to winning, and we are going to do what’s best for the team in pursuit of that goal.”
The Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets are anticipated to be the highest suitors for the seven-time All-Star guard, however per The Athletic, Lillard desires to play in Miami.
Lillard reportedly met with Portland crew officers earlier this week to debate the franchise’s course. He is alleged to be sad with Portland’s resolution to make use of the No. 3 total decide in final month’s draft on rookie level guard Scoot Henderson as an alternative of buying and selling it to accumulate a high-level co-star corresponding to New Orleans Pelicans ahead Zion Williamson.
Henderson, who performed for G League Ignite, could be a constructing block together with second-year capturing guard Shaedon Sharpe in a post-Lillard period.
Lillard, who turns 33 on July 15, has performed his complete 11-year profession with Portland, who drafted him with the No. 6 total decide in 2012.
He averaged a franchise-record 32.2 factors per sport in 2022-23, the third-highest clip within the league, however Portland completed 33-49 and missed the playoffs for the second straight season.
Lillard is scheduled to earn $45.6 million for the 2023-24 season. He signed a four-year, $176.3 million deal in July 2022.
Named one of many NBA’s 75 biggest gamers of all time in 2021, Lillard gained Rookie of the Year honors in 2012-13 and has made All-NBA groups seven occasions. He is Portland’s profession chief in factors (19,376) and 3-point area objectives (2,387).
—Field Level Media/Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
